The program, committed to co-mediation, teaches families to frame their attitudes about themselves and each other in terms of strength. The four stages of the model involve relationship building, facilitating positive emotional sharing, clarifying power and responsibility, and problem resolution. The personal relationship between mediators and family members is the program's most important intervention tool. The mediator must understand the family system. Once the mediator establishes a trusting relationship with each family member, counterproductive communication patterns which lock everyone into a role can be confronted. Stage II enables family members to share their positive feelings. Stage III teaches family members to speak directly to each other, to speak only for themselves, to value their roles in the family, and to share power. The first three stages lay the foundation for the mediator(s) to assist the family in decisions about the specific presenting issues. The model depends for its effectiveness on a basic respect for young people and an understanding of family dynamics. Case examples accompany discussion of each stage of the model.